Greenwich responds to darkness with light

Lisa Chamoff

Updated 10:08 pm, Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Greenwich Board of Education member Peter Sherr bows his head during the community vigil in memory of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, at Greenwich High School, Tuesday night, Dec. 18, 2012.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Greenwich High School cheerleader Dakota Hirsch, 14, a freshman, during the community vigil in memory of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, at Greenwich High School, Tuesday night, Dec. 18, 2012.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Greenwich Police Capt. Pamela Gustovich during the community vigil in memory of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, at Greenwich High School, Tuesday night, Dec. 18, 2012.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Mary Fike of Old Greenwich plays the flute during the Greenwich community vigil in memory of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, at Greenwich High School, Tuesday night, Dec. 18, 2012.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei bows his head during the community vigil in memory of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, at Greenwich High School, Tuesday night, Dec. 18, 2012.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Tracy Marinteau sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" during the Greenwich community vigil in memory of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, at Greenwich High School, Tuesday night, Dec. 18, 2012.
Photo: Bob Luckey

The Greenwich community vigil in memory of the victims of the Sandy...

A moment of prayer during the Greenwich community vigil in memory of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, at Greenwich High School, Tuesday night, Dec. 18, 2012.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Greenwich High School cheerleaders hold glow sticks during the community vigil in memory of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, at Greenwich High School, Tuesday night, Dec. 18, 2012.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Cantor Asa Fradkin of Temple Sholom in Greenwich leads an interfaith prayer during the community vigil in memory of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, at Greenwich High School, Tuesday night, Dec. 18, 2012.
Photo: Bob Luckey

Nearly 200 people filled the auditorium for the event, organized by the town, the school district and a coalition of Greenwich clergy. The dimness of the large room was pierced by orange glow sticks, handed out by Board of Education members, along with strands of white lights decorating the foot of the auditorium stage for the holidays.

Superintendent of Schools William McKersie referred to that imagery in his remarks, saying it was up to those in the room to "carry the light" for the students who would not be able to reach their full potential.

"We must remember and act on the memory, that we always find light and can find our way forward," he said.

McKersie also choked up as he spoke about the teachers, principal and school psychologist who were among the victims of the single gunman. He said the teachers and other school staff members in Greenwich were having a difficult time dealing with what had happened. Several of them live in Newtown.

Teachers have varied the ways they discuss the issue in classrooms based on students' ages. McKersie said he and his wife have chosen not to talk to their preschool-aged daughter, Riona, about the incident.

The event drew current and former members of the Greenwich community, who came out as a way to show their support for Newtown residents, and also find their own way to deal with the tragedy.

"It's such a hard thing to cope with," said Paul Barbian, who came to the vigil with his wife, their 30-year-old daughter and 19-month-old granddaughter. "Being in a group and hearing words of comfort is important."

Barbian's daughter, Katherine Ortiz, was visiting her parents from California. Ortiz said she was also trying to figure out how to discuss the tragedy with her 10-year-old stepdaughter.

"It affects everyone," Ortiz said. "It's everyone's child."

Several police officers stood by the entrance to the high school before and after the vigil, a sign of increased security. The district has responded to the shooting by beefing up police presence around school buildings.

Over the last couple of days, administrators have been reviewing the security methods, making sure doors are secure and school offices track who comes into the buildings.

Starting this week, McKersie will meet with the police chief, as well as First Selectman Peter Tesei and school board leaders, to see if anything should be changed.

McKersie said he didn't want to discuss what the group will be considering.

"We are going to start looking at it this week and move forward quickly," McKersie said earlier on Tuesday.